47 accidents with particularly dangerous chemicals at Northvolt

Published 9 October 2024 at 09.52

Domestic. Since 2021, there have been 47 accidents with particularly dangerous chemicals at the sustainability giant Northvolt's factory in Skellefteå, according to the company's internal documentation that SVT has seen.

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These chemicals, which are classified by the Swedish Work Environment Agency as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive disruptors, pose major health risks for the employees.

– Regardless of how little you are exposed to, there is a risk that you will become ill, sometimes after as long as 30-40 years, says Karin Staaf, expert at the Swedish Work Environment Authority, to SVT.

One of the most dangerous chemicals is electrolyte, and of the 47 accidents, 16 incidents involved this particular substance. Employees have gotten electrolyte on their skin or inhaled its vapors, leading to hospital visits in some cases, but no serious injuries have been reported.

Several accidents have also occurred in connection with the handling of the chemicals NMP and NMC, where worker received NMC on the face and hands. NMC is described as fatal if inhaled and can cause serious lung damage.

Karin Broberg, professor of occupational and environmental medicine, emphasizes that Northvolt must improve its chemical safety and warns that the so-called green transition can involve major risks if safety is not prioritized.

Northvolt writes in a comment to SVT that safety is a top priority and that they do not work if safety requirements cannot be met.

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